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twix23919 · 12-21-2010, 05:52 AM

Does anyone know if this is a good lens? Pentax 40-80mm f/2.8-4 SMCP-M camera lens......I'm considering it for my K-x. Thanks for the feedback!

twix23919 · 12-21-2010, 06:05 AM

here's a pic of the lens...

Adam · 12-21-2010, 06:07 AM

Always search first, because chances are that the lens has already been reviewed in one of our lens databases:

SMC Pentax-M 40-80mm F2.8-4 Lens Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database

8540tomg · 12-21-2010, 06:09 AM

Several reviews on this item below:

SMC Pentax-M 40-80mm F2.8-4 Lens Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database

Doesn't seem to get stellar reviews.

Tom G

twix23919 · 12-21-2010, 06:11 AM

thanks! I forgot to do that....appreciate it.....now I know what NOT to buy!

Merry Christmas!

RioRico · 12-21-2010, 12:52 PM

My M40-80 went WOOF-WOOF!
It was mechanically worn.
So I sold it down the river.
And lost money on the deal.

It helped me hate MF zooms.
An F35-70 is much much better.

Huck Finn · 12-21-2010, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

My M40-80 went WOOF-WOOF!
It was mechanically worn.
So I sold it down the river.
And lost money on the deal.

It helped me hate MF zooms.
An F35-70 is much much better.

Don't hate them. That one was a first generation photo zoom from the '70s.

Calculations for the lens design were made with pencil and paper, or with the very first computers, less powerful than any cellphone today is... Not to mention the level of machinery used to make the lens elements...no aspherical lenses, no fancy designs...

No surprise they were not that good! But things changed rather quickly.

RioRico · 12-21-2010, 03:55 PM

@Huck Finn,
Yah, I know the history of zooms. Maybe I should have said 'deprecate' instead of 'hate'. But I've sold off most of my older manual zooms, which too often showed substantial fringing. And I don't like dealing with SR issues. But I've kept a few:

Pentax SMC-A 35-80/4-5.6 (to be sold soon)
Tokina RMC 35-135/3.5-4.5 (modded Nikon mount)
Sears-Tokina 55-135/3.5 (M42) (quite sharp)
Promaster-Tamron 60/300/4-5.6 (KAR mount)
Takumar-A 70-200/4 (it was cheap)
Vivitar-Kiron S1 70-210/3.5 (a real gem!)
Sears-Samyang 70-210/4 (a sleeper)
Vivitar-Kiron 80-200/4.5 (undecided)

And of course the Schneider Betavaron 50-125/4-5.6 enlarger zoom, the most brutally sharp tool in the tray. Then there's a little CCTV Bell & Howell Filmovara 15-25/1.2 that I haven't yet quite figured what to do with. But another 17 zooms have been sold down the river. Adios.

Huck Finn · 12-21-2010, 04:01 PM

You kept the good ones....

12-21-2010, 05:52 AM	#1
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54	Need info on this lens....Thanks! Does anyone know if this is a good lens? Pentax 40-80mm f/2.8-4 SMCP-M camera lens......I'm considering it for my K-x. Thanks for the feedback!

12-21-2010, 06:07 AM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 49,786	Always search first, because chances are that the lens has already been reviewed in one of our lens databases: SMC Pentax-M 40-80mm F2.8-4 Lens Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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12-21-2010, 06:05 AM	#2
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	here's a pic of the lens...

12-21-2010, 06:09 AM	#4
8540tomg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Several reviews on this item below: SMC Pentax-M 40-80mm F2.8-4 Lens Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database Doesn't seem to get stellar reviews. Tom G

12-21-2010, 06:11 AM	#5
twix23919 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United States Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	thanks! I forgot to do that....appreciate it.....now I know what NOT to buy! Merry Christmas!

12-21-2010, 12:52 PM	#6
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,264	My M40-80 went WOOF-WOOF! It was mechanically worn. So I sold it down the river. And lost money on the deal. It helped me hate MF zooms. An F35-70 is much much better.

12-21-2010, 02:42 PM	#7
Huck Finn Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Italy Photos: Albums Posts: 32	Originally posted by RioRico My M40-80 went WOOF-WOOF! It was mechanically worn. So I sold it down the river. And lost money on the deal. It helped me hate MF zooms. An F35-70 is much much better. Don't hate them. That one was a first generation photo zoom from the '70s. Calculations for the lens design were made with pencil and paper, or with the very first computers, less powerful than any cellphone today is... Not to mention the level of machinery used to make the lens elements...no aspherical lenses, no fancy designs... No surprise they were not that good! But things changed rather quickly.

12-21-2010, 03:55 PM	#8
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,264	@Huck Finn, Yah, I know the history of zooms. Maybe I should have said 'deprecate' instead of 'hate'. But I've sold off most of my older manual zooms, which too often showed substantial fringing. And I don't like dealing with SR issues. But I've kept a few: Pentax SMC-A 35-80/4-5.6 (to be sold soon) Tokina RMC 35-135/3.5-4.5 (modded Nikon mount) Sears-Tokina 55-135/3.5 (M42) (quite sharp) Promaster-Tamron 60/300/4-5.6 (KAR mount) Takumar-A 70-200/4 (it was cheap) Vivitar-Kiron S1 70-210/3.5 (a real gem!) Sears-Samyang 70-210/4 (a sleeper) Vivitar-Kiron 80-200/4.5 (undecided) And of course the Schneider Betavaron 50-125/4-5.6 enlarger zoom, the most brutally sharp tool in the tray. Then there's a little CCTV Bell & Howell Filmovara 15-25/1.2 that I haven't yet quite figured what to do with. But another 17 zooms have been sold down the river. Adios.

12-21-2010, 04:01 PM	#9
Huck Finn Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Italy Photos: Albums Posts: 32	You kept the good ones....

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Need info on this lens....Thanks!

PF Holiday Loyal Site Supporter Special | December Pentax Lens Tournament